Skip advert
Advertisement

In-car vacuum cleaner mini test

We test the new in-car vacuum cleaner from Dyson to find out how it compares to our current best buy

Cleaning up crumbs in your car is simple with a dedicated vacuum cleaner. There’s no need to drag the household vac to your driveway, as the latest handhelds are small enough to be left in the boot for use away from the mains.

Dyson’s updated Animal DC34 has a motorised brush head for picking up pet hair, plus its digital motor claims to spin five times faster than an F1 engine. We put it up against our current favourite: the Halfords 12V Car Vacuum.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our road test team loves these vacs, and we tested them on cars ahead of a photoshoot. We used them to shift dog hairs from the boot, biscuit crumbs from the driver’s seat and muck from the footwell. Plus, we counted the attachments included and rated suction over a section of carpet. Price was also a factor.

The Dyson’s suction is second to none, plus it’s easy to empty. Battery life is limited, though, and it’s just too pricey. So the Halfords is still best for clearing up on the go. Unlike the Dyson, it’s not cordless, but there’s a long 12-volt cable and it also has three attachments.

Money no object: Dyson DC34 Animal

Price: £179.99

Contact: www.dyson.co.uk

Rating:★★★★

Dyson DC34 Animal

Best buy: Halfords 12V Car Vacuum

Price: £19.99

Contact: www.halfords.com

Rating:★★★★★

Halfords 12V Car Vacuum
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,840Avg. savings £5,684 off RRP*Used from £11,500
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £11,990Avg. savings £703 off RRP*Used from £9,497
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,435Avg. savings £6,350 off RRP*Used from £11,050
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,175Avg. savings £2,777 off RRP*Used from £7,500
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Most and least reliable car manufacturers 2026
Most and least reliable car brands - header image

Most and least reliable car manufacturers 2026

These are the brands that are building the most reliable cars on UK roads, along with the ones that you might wish to avoid
Best cars & vans
30 Aug 2026
BMW iX3 vs Mercedes GLC vs Volvo EX60: fight for EV SUV supremacy
BMW iX3 vs Mercedes GLC vs Volvo EX60 - front tracking

BMW iX3 vs Mercedes GLC vs Volvo EX60: fight for EV SUV supremacy

New arrivals from Volvo and Mercedes are the latest to try to unseat award-winning BMW SUV
Car group tests
29 Aug 2026
New Dacia Sandero is going EV, but there's still a place for petrol
Dacia Sandero render (watermarked) - front

New Dacia Sandero is going EV, but there's still a place for petrol

Next-generation supermini will provide a range of powertrains and a more rugged Stepway version
News
31 Aug 2026